Smriti Mandhana makes history with dazzling knock against Australia in Women’s World Cup 2025
The Indian team’s star opener Smriti Mandhana proved once again why she is considered the heart of Indian women’s cricket. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Mandhana entered the record books by becoming the youngest and fastest batter to reach 5,000 runs in the Women’s One Day Internationals (ODI).
A touch of class and control by Smriti Mandhana
The southpaw played an innings that combined elegance and aggression, smashing a brilliant 80 off just 66 balls. His knock, which featured nine boundaries and three majestic sixes, was a masterclass in timing and placement. From crisp drives through the covers to well-judged pulls, Mandhana dictated the tempo from the start and never allowed the Australian bowlers to settle.
His innings was more than just a personal milestone: it was a statement of intent. Mandhana’s dominance at the crease set the tone for India’s innings and gave the packed Visakhapatnam crowd something to cheer about. Every point she scored carried the stamp of confidence that defined her successful career.
Record partnership with debutant Pratika Rawal
Mandhana found a competent partner when starting out Pratika Rawalwho looked calm beyond his years. The duo added a strong opening partnership of 155 runs, setting a perfect platform for India’s innings. While Mandhana played the role of aggressor, Rawal rotated the strike effectively, showing maturity and patience during his unbeaten 67 off 85 deliveries.
Their partnership frustrated the Australian bowlers, who struggled to find movement or discipline on a flat pitch. It wasn’t until Sophie Molineux caused Mandhana to have an untimely stroke – caught by Phoebe Litchfield — which the visitors finally managed to break through. But by then the damage was done and India were already heading towards a formidable total.
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A milestone for the ages
At just 29 years old, Mandhana’s journey to 5,000 ODI runs encapsulates his unwavering consistency and thirst for excellence. She reached this milestone in record time, surpassing several legendary names in women’s cricket. Her ability to score in all conditions and against world-class attacks has made her one of the most complete hitters of her generation.
From her early days as a teenager to now being the fastest and youngest person to complete 5,000 runs, Mandhana’s career is an inspiring story of perseverance and evolution. The milestone drew a thunderous ovation from the home crowd, a moment that underlined how deeply she has bonded with cricket fans across the country.
India eventually registered 330 runs in 48.5 overs, largely thanks to the top-order brilliance of Mandhana and Rawal. Although the middle order faltered after Mandhana’s dismissal, Rawal’s 75 runs ensured India had a healthy total to defend.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
